Shaft-straightening machine



Feb. 10, 1931. M. H. DAMERELL 1,791,524

SHAFT STRAIGHTENING MACHINE Filed Dec. 30 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Z Wa g? mg wpa,

a A 1| 0 I m 5207" E flfifiar/ 6/1 55 Feb. 10, 1931. M. H. DAMERELL SHAFT S TRAIGHTENING MACHINE Filed Dec. 30, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 F 1931. M. H. DAMERELL SHAFT STRAIGHTENING MACHINE Filed Dec. 30, 1926 3 Sheets Sheei. 3

Patented Feb. 10, 1931 ETE MARK H. DAIviERELL, 31? WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO "WYMAN-GOBDON COMPANY, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS SHAFT-STRAIGHTENING MACHINE Application filed. December 30, 1926.

This invention relates to a machine dement with the shaft.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved driving mechanism for quickly rotating the shaft, so that it may be conveniently indicated and the eccentricity thereof may be easily marked thereon.

My invention further relates to arrange ments and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter set forth and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

A preferred form of the invention is shown in the drawings in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of my improved straightening machine;

Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation, taken along the line 22 in Fig. 1 and showing one of the shaft supporting bearings;

Fig. 3 is a sectional front elevation of the pneumatic tail stock;

Fig. 3a is a sectional detail of the tail center bearing.

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view, taken along the line H in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional end elevation, taken along the line 55 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional front elevation of the head stool: and its driving mechanism;

Fig. 7 is an end view of the head stock, Dart y in section, and looking in tllt direction of the arrow in Fig. 6 5 and Serial No. 158,100.

Fig. 8 is a detail view, looking in the direction of the arrow 8 in Fig. 6.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1, I have shown my improved straightening machine as comprising a table 10 slidably mounted 2 on a base 11 and having a head stock H and a tail stock T mounted in guide-ways thereon and adjustable toward and from each other to adapt the machine to shafts of different lengths. The head and tail stocks may be retain d in adjusted longitudinal position by clamping bolts 12 and 13.

Supporting and guiding members 15 (Figs. 1 and 2) are provided, which members are adapted to receive the crankshaft and to support it in approximate running position for the insertion of th centers. Each member 15 is made in the form of a forked or U-shaped bearing supported on a base plate The plate 16 is connected to a member 17 which is adapted to rest freely on the sup porting table 10. The adjacent faces of the parts 16 and 17 are inclined slightly with respect to each other-and a wedge bar 18 may be adjustably inserted between the members 16 and 17 to conveniently vary the height of the supportin members 15.

The members 15 are designed for the convenient operation of the machine, as they are adapted to receive the crankshaft and to support it in position so that the head center 20 and tail center 21 will freely enter the center holes in the shaft and when fully inserted therein will slightly raise the shaft free from the supports 15.

A punch or pressure-applying member 25 is mounted in a head 26 supported on an upright standard 27 and operated by suitable actuating mechanism (not shown but preferably of the pneumatic type) so that pressure of greater or less intensity may be applied to the crankshaft for straightening the same.

Additional movable supports 28 may be insex ed under any points on the crankshaft to receive the downward thrust of the pressure-applying member 2-5. These additional members 28 are provided so that a short bend between closely adjacent points may be straightened, while the supports 15 alone may be utilized for receiving the downward pressure when straightening a general curve extending throughout the length of the shaft.

The parts thus far described are in genera] of the usual type and operate in the usual manner.

I have provided special constructions of head and tail stock for use in my improved straightening machines, which constructions will; now be described.

H ead steels My improved head stock, as best shown in F igs. 6 and 7, comprises a head 30 ada ited to be bolted to the table 10 by a clamping screw 12, as previously described. A live center 20 is seated in av holder 31 of the usual type, which holder is rotatable in a bearing 32 in a supporting member 33. The member 33 is pivotally mounted on trunnions 34 rotatable in horizontal bearings in a frame member 30. The forward end of the member 33 is provided with straight side walls or bearing surfaces 35 (Fig. 7) and is slidable in a recess 36 in the member 30 The front end of the member 33 is pivotal ly connected to a depending stud 37 which extends freely downward through cross plates 38 and 39 and is provided with lock nuts 40 at its lower end. The cross plate 33 engages a. shoulder 41 on the member 30 and the cross plate 39 engages the lock nuts 40 on the stud 37 and is provided with adjustable screws 43 adapted to engage surfaces 44 on the member 30. A. coil spring i5 surrounds the stud 37 between the cross plates 38 and 39.

The construction is such that the center 20 is normally held in'mid position, with the member 33 substantially horizontal, as shown in full lines in Fig. 6. The center is yieldingly supported, however and may be displaced either upwardly or downwardly by compressing the spring 45, to either of the positions indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 6.

The holder or spindle 31 has a rearwardly extending portion 47 extending through a ball thrust bearing 48 and a spindle bearing 49 and having a gear 50 secured to its rear endportion. A pinion 51 is mounted on a drive shaft 52 and meshes with the gear 50. The shaft 52 is rotatably supported in bearings in a depending portion of the member 33 andis rotated by any suitable driving mechanism, illustrated herein as comprising an air motor 53 receiving its air through a pipe 54 flexibly connected with a storage tank or other convenient air supply. The details of construction of the air motor constitute no part of my present invention.

The air motor 53 may be controlled through a hand-operated valve and as the driving mechanism is entirely supported on the member 33, it will be evident that the spindle 20 may be rotated by the motor in any position of the member 33 upon its trunnions 34.

The frame member 30 is pivoted to swing horizontally on the head 30 about the axis of the bolt 12 and is centered by adjustable screws 301 engaging headed studs 302 mounted in lugs 303 on the base or head 30. A spring 304; forces the studs 302 outward to center the frame 30 but permits, yielding lateral displacement of the member 30 under lateral pressure.

Tail center I will now describe the construction of the tail center which co-operates with the head center above described. The construction of the tail center is in many respects substantially similar to that of the head center, but involves certain additional features of construction. The tail center comprises a head adapted to be secured to the table 10 by a clamping bolt 13. An upper frame member 01 is mounted on the head 60 and is pivotally centered on a sleeve 62 extending upwardly from the member 60 and through which the clamping bolt 13 extends. The upper frame member 61 is thus freely movable laterally about the center of the sleeve 62 as an The frame member 60 is provided with lugs 63 (Fig. adapted to receive headed studs 6st inserted in openings in the projections from the inner sides thereof and yieldingly pressed apart by a coil spring 65. The studs 64 extend outward beyond the projections 63 and are engaged by contact screws 06 threaded into depending portions 67 of the upper frame member 61.

By this construction the tail center 21 is normally centered laterally but may be displaced toward the front or rear of the machine, swinging the frame member 61 on the member (50 to one of the positions shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4.

The tail center 21 is provided with a hearing 70 by which it is made freely rotatable upon a shank 71 adapted to be inserted in a holder 72 slid able but non-rotatable in a supporting member 73. The member 73 is pivoted on trunnions 7% in the frame member 61 and the front end of the member 73 is vertically movable as previously described in connection with the head stock H. A spring 7 5 holds the member 73 normally horizontal, but permits yielding displacement thereof in either an upward or downward direction, all as more fully set forth in the description of the head stock.

A pneumatic cylinder 76 is mounted on the tail stocks.

stock construction, the centers easily follow rear end of the membc 73 and contains a piston 7'? connected by a rodl78 with the holder actuated as desired in either direction.

' ports 15.

When thus su 3 orted there is sufficient n l u friction between the rotating head center 20 and the crankshaft to cause the crankshaft to also rotate, such movement being facilitated by the ball bearing of the tail center 21. While thus rotating, the eccentricity may be tested and marked, commonly by presenting a piece of chalk or crayon against different portions of the shaft. The valve 55 may then be closed to stop rotation of the shaft, while the pressure applying member 25 is forced inst the desired point in the shaft to ighten the curve indicatedby the chalk marks thereon; During this operation, the table 10 may be moved longitudinally on the bed 11 to any desired position by the usual hand wheel (Fig. 1)

A blow delivered at or near the center of:

the crankshaft commonly causes the end of the shaft to swing upwardly and would break off the points of the centers 20 and 21 if they were rigidly supported int'he usual head and In my yielding head and tail the movements of the ends of the shaft, returning immediately to normal position as soon as the pressure is withdrawn. The shaft is at all times mounted upon the centers and may be caused to quickly resume rotation by opening the valve 55.

If the member 25 delivers a glancing blow, this may cause lateral displacement of the shaft. Such lateral-displacement is also permitted by the construction of the head and tail Stocks, which permit limited lateral movement of the centers 20 and 21. l

I am thus able to perform the entire straightening operation without removing the shaft from its centers and while keeping the shaft continuously connected for rotationwvhenever rotation is desired and per- 1 mitted by the operator.

much more rapidly than has previously been possible, as there is no time lost in Withdrawthe centers and re-inserting the same before and after each operation of the pressure" applying member 25.

Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof, I do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed 0therwise than as set forth in the claims, but what I claim is: 7

Lin a shaft straightening machine, a able, a shaft straightening device movably nounted above said table, centers for said shaft,yieldingly movable supporting means L therefor, said centers being mounted in said means for yielding movement with said shaft when theshaft 1s chsplaced by said straightening device, said means being mounted on a vertical pivot for yielding lateral movement when said shaft is so dipslaced.

V 2, ln a shaft straightening machine, a table, a shaft straightening device movably mounted above said table, centers for said shaft, yioldingly movable supporting means therefor, mounted on vertical pivots, means for normallymaintaining said centers and supporting means in pre-determined position, means to support said centers for yielding movement upward or downward in said supporting means, and with said shaft, when said shaft is displaced by said straightening device. I

3. In a shaft straightening machine, a center supporting frame mounted on a vertical pivot, a bearing member pivoted on a horizontal axis therein, a center rotatably mounted in said bearing member, 11 cans mounted on said member to rotate said center, and means to yieldingly maintain said bearing member in predetermined vertical position.

4. In a shaft straightening machine, a center supporting head, a bearing frame mounted on a vertical pivot therein, a bearing member mounted on a horizontal axis in said frame, a center mounted in said bearing member, and means b0 yieldingly maintain said frame and said-member in predetermined operative position and to return said parts to said positions after displacement therefrom.

5. in a shaft straightening machine, a head stock, including a support mounted on a vertical pivot, a li e center mounted in said support for vertical movement means maintaining the same in predetern ed position therein, said center being yieldingly displaceable therefrom, and means to rotate said live center, said rotating means being 1nounted on said head stock for movement with said center and having drivingengagement 1 with said live center in every position thereof.

6. in a shaf straightening machine, a supporting frame mountedon a vertical pivot,

a center mounted in said frame for vertical movement, means normally maintaining the we same in predetermined. position therein, said center being yieldingly displaceable therefrom, and means to apply yielding pressure to said center in all positions thereof to retract and protract said center relative to the supporting head.

7. In a shaft straightening machine, a table, a shaft straightening device removably mounted above said table, head and tail stocks for said shaft, bearing members mounted on vertical pivots in said stocks, centers for said shaft mounted in said bearing members and means for normally maintaining said centers and members in predetermined position, said centers and members being yieldingly movable laterally about the vertical pivots for said members when the shaft is displaced by the straightening device.

8. In a shaft straightening machine, a table, a shaft straightening device removably mounted above said table, head and tail stocks for said shaft, bearing members mounted on vertical pivots in said stocks, centers for said shaft mounted in said bearing members and means for normally maintaining said centers and members in predetermined position, said centers and members being yieldingly movable laterally about the ver tical pivots for said members when the shaft is displaced by the straightening device, and means to rotate the center in said headstock 9. In a shaftstraightening machine, a shaft straightening device, a center support ing frame mounted on a vertical pivot in said machine, a bearing member mounted on a horizontal pivot therein, a shaft supporting center mounted for free rotation in predetermined position below said straightening device and in said member, means to rotate said center-in said member and means'to yieldingly maintain said bearing member and center in predetermined vertical position.

10. In a shaft straightening machine, a shaft straightening device, center supporting frames, bearing memberspivoted therein,

shaft supporting centers mounted for free rotation in predetermined position below said straightening device and in said members, means to rotate one of said centers in its member, and means to yieldingly maintain said bearing members and centers in predetermined vertical posit-ion, said shaft being yieldingly movable from its supported position while in continuous engagement with said centers, and means to apply yielding pressure to the other of said centers in all positions thereof.

11. In a shaft straightening machine, a supporting frame mounted on a vertical pivot, a. center mounted in said frame for vertical movement, means normally maintaining the same in predetermined position therein, said center being yieldingly displaceable therefrom, a pneumatically actuated piston arranged to engage said center, thereby to apply yielding pressure to said center in all positions thereof, to retract and to protract said center relative to said head.

12. In a shaft straightening machine, a table, a shaft straightening device movably mounted above said table, head and tail stocks mounted on said table, head and tail centers for the shaft mounted on vertical pivots in the respective stocks, an anti-friction support for said tail center, means mounted in said head stock and forming a permanent part thereof in driving engagement with said head center, whereby said head center may be rotated under control of the operator, said driving means being movable with said head stock.

13. In a shaft straightening machine, a table, a shaft straightening device movably mounted above said table, supporting frames mounted on vertical pivots on said table, bearing members mounted on horizontal pivots in said supporting frames, head and tail centers movably supported in said bearing members and normally maintained in predetermined shaft-supporting position, said centers and said members being'movable upwardly, downwardly or laterally with the supported shaft, when said shaft is displaced by said straightening device.

1-1. In a shaft straightening machine, a stock including a supporting frame, a bearing member pivoted on a horizontal axis in said frame, a center rotatably mounted in said bearing member, means to hold said center in a fixed longitudinal position relative to said member, means to yieldingly maintain said bearing member in predetermined ver tical position, said frame being pivoted on a vertical axis for lateral movement.

15. In a shaft straightening machine, a stock including a supporting frame, a bearing member'pivoted on a horizontal axis in said frame, a center rotatably mounted in said bearing member, means to hold said center in a fixed longitudinal position relative to said member, means to yieldingly maintain said bearing member in predetermined vertical position, said frame being pivoted on a vertical axis for lateral movement, and means to yieldingly limit the lateral movement of said frame.

16. In a shaft straightening machine, a table, a shaft straightening device movably mounted above said table, and a sup porting frame having a center for said shaft pivotally mounted thereon, means to maintain said center normally in predetermined position, said frame being mounted on a Vertical pivot for a yielding lateral movemen u whereby said center will move laterally with said shaft, when the shaft is displaced by said straightening device.

17. In a shaft straightening machine, a head stock, a bearing member mounted on a vertical pivot therein, a live center mounted in said bearing and means for normally maintaining said center and member in predetermined position in said headstock but yieldingly displaoeable therefrom, means to rotate said live center, said rotating means being mounted on said head stock for movement With said bearing and having driving engagement with said live center in every position thereof.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

MARK H. DAMERELL. 

